Image signature extraction device

ABSTRACT

The image signature extraction device includes an extraction unit and a generation unit. The extraction unit extracts region features from respective sub-regions in an image in accordance with a plurality of pairs of sub-regions in the image, the pairs of sub-regions including at least one pair of sub-regions in which both a combination of shapes of two sub-regions of the pair and a relative position between the two sub-regions of the pair differ from those of at least one of other pairs of sub-regions. The generation unit generates, based on the extracted region features of the respective sub-regions, an image signature to be used for identifying the image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for extracting image signatures which are features for identifying (determining the identity of) images.

BACKGROUND ART

Image signatures are image features for identifying (determining the identity of) images. By comparing an image signature extracted from an image with an image signature extracted from another image, an identity scale (in general, referred to as similarity or distance) indicating a degree of the two images being identical can be calculated from a comparison result. Further, by comparing the calculated identity scale with a threshold, it is possible to determine whether or not the two images are identical. In this context, the meaning of “two images being identical” includes not only the case where the two images are identical at the level of image signals (pixel values of the pixels constituting the images), but also the case where one image is a duplicate image of the other by means of various alteration processes such as conversion of compression format of an image, conversion of size/aspect ratio of an image, adjustment of color tone of an image, various filtering processes (sharpening, smoothing, and the like) applied to an image, local processing (caption superimposition, cutout, and the like) applied to an image, and recapturing of an image. By using image signatures, as it is possible to detect duplication of an image or a moving image which is a set of images, for example, image signatures are applicable to an illegal copy detection system for images or moving images.

Patent Document 1 describes an example of an image signature. FIG. 18 is an illustration showing a method of extracting an image signature described in Patent Document 1. This image signature is a feature vector in multiple dimensions (sixteen dimensions in FIG. 18). The method includes respectively calculating average luminance from thirty two pieces of rectangle regions 244 (among them, sixteen pieces of rectangle regions are shown in FIG. 18) at predetermined positions in an image 240, and calculating differences in the average luminance between rectangle regions forming pairs (the paired rectangle regions are linked to each other with dotted lines 248 in FIG. 18), to thereby obtain a difference vector 250 in sixteen dimensions. With respect to the difference vector 250, a composite vector is generated by means of vector transformation, and a quantization index vector in sixteen dimensions, acquired by quantizing the respective dimensions of the composite vector, is used as an image signature.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.     8-500471

SUMMARY

In an image signature formed of a feature vector in a plurality of dimensions, as the amount of information held by the feature vector is larger (redundancy is smaller) as correlation between dimensions are smaller, such an image signature has high discrimination capability which is a degree of discriminating different images. In contrast, if correlation between dimensions in a feature vector is large, as the amount of information held by the feature vector is small (redundancy is large), the discrimination capability is low. It should be noted that correlation between dimensions is a degree of similarity occurring from the features of the dimensions, and mathematically, it is a value calculated as, if occurrence of a feature of each dimension is set as a probability variable, a correlation coefficient between probability variables or a mutual information amount, for example. As such, it is desirable that an image signature formed of a feature vector in a plurality of dimensions should be designed such that correlation between dimensions is small.

Image signals (pixel values of the pixels constituting an image) have correlation between local regions in the image. Generally, as the distance between local regions is shorter, the correlation is larger. In particular, in an image in which a specific image pattern appears repeatedly (particularly, in the case where the image pattern repeatedly appears in regular cycles) (for example, an image of windows of a building arranged in a grid pattern, see FIG. 19(A)) or in an image formed of a particular texture (see FIG. 19(B)), for example, correlation between local regions of the image is large.

[First Problem]

Regarding an image signature formed of a feature vector including features extracted from a plurality of local regions of the image, as described in Patent Document 1, as the shapes of the local regions for extracting the features are the same in each dimension (in the example of Patent Document 1, rectangle regions in the same shape) with respect to an image in which correlation between local regions in the image is large, correlation between the dimensions of the extracted features is large. As such, there is a first problem that discrimination capability of the image signature (feature vector) is low. It should be noted that the shapes are identical means that the regions are identical including their size and angle (tilt or orientation).

For example, the image signature as described in Patent Document 1 has low discrimination capability with respect to an image in which a specific image pattern appears repeatedly (see FIG. 19(A)) or in an image formed of a particular texture (see FIG. 19(B)).

[Second Problem]

A second problem of the image signature described in Patent Document 1 is that as the shapes of the regions of respective dimensions for calculating features (feature vector) are in the identical rectangle shape (including size and angle), there is a blind spot on frequencies where it is impossible to detect frequency components having a cycle which is the same as the length of a side of the rectangle or which is a fraction of the integer thereof. This is because that if an average is calculated within a region for a signal component of such a particular frequency, the value becomes 0 regardless of the magnitude of the signal component, so that signals of such frequency component cannot be detected at all. More specifically, assuming that a frequency having the same cycle as the length of a side of the rectangle is f₀, components of a frequency nf₀ (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ) cannot be detected. As such, with respect to an image in which signals concentrate on direct current components and such frequency components, an average pixel value becomes the same as the direct current component, whereby there is no difference in values between regions. Consequently, the value of every feature extracted as a difference in average pixel values between regions becomes 0, so that discrimination cannot be performed (discrimination capability is significantly lowered). Practically, as it is difficult to detect not only the components of the frequency nf₀ (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ) but also a certain nearby frequency regions, even if signals do not concentrate on the above-described particular frequency, signal components of such a frequency band cannot be used, whereby the discrimination capability is lowered. In order to alleviate this problem, it may be possible to increase the value of the frequency f₀ so as to decrease the signal electricity fallen into the frequency band which is difficult to be detected. However, increasing the value of the frequency f₀ means reducing the size of the region, leading to lowering of the robustness (a degree that a feature does not vary due to various alteration processes or noise) of the frequency. For example, if a region becomes smaller, the value of the feature largely varies with respect to minor positional shift, whereby the robustness of the feature is lowered. As described above, when using the identical rectangle regions, it is extremely difficult to secure the robustness while increasing the discrimination capability.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an image signature extraction device capable of solving a problem that an image signature, extracted from an image having large correlation between local regions in the image or an image having signals which are concentrated on a particular frequency, has a lower discrimination capability which is a degree of discriminating different images.

According to an aspect to the present invention, an image signature extraction device includes an extraction unit which extracts region features from respective sub-regions in an image in accordance with a plurality of pairs of sub-regions in the image, the pairs of sub-regions including at least one pair of sub-regions in which both a combination of shapes of two sub-regions of the pair and a relative position between the two sub-regions of the pair differ from those of at least one of other pairs of sub-regions, and a generation unit which generates, based on the extracted region features of the respective sub-regions, an image signature to be used for identifying the image.

According to the present invention, the discrimination capability, which is a degree of discriminating different images, of an image signature can be improved. In particular, this advantageous effect is significantly achieved with respect to an image in which correlation between local regions in the image is high.

Further, the present invention also provides another advantageous effect that the discrimination capability is not lowered with respect to an image having signals which are concentrated on a particular frequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing exemplary pairs of extraction regions for respective dimensions shown by each-dimension extraction information.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a comparison unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of a comparison unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the processing in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table showing examples of region feature calculation methods for respective dimensions.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the processing in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a table showing examples of comparison and quantization methods for respective dimensions.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of the processing in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-a is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in a fifth embodiment and a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-b is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-c is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-d is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-e is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-f is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-g is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-h is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-i is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14-j is a table showing each-dimension extraction region information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15-a is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15-b is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15-c is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15-d is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15-e is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16-a is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16-b is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16-c is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16-d is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16-e is a table showing each-dimension region feature calculation method information used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17-a is a table showing each-dimension comparison and quantization method information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17-b is a table showing each-dimension comparison and quantization method information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17-c is a table showing each-dimension comparison and quantization method information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17-d is a table showing each-dimension comparison and quantization method information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17-e is a table showing each-dimension comparison and quantization method information used in the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an illustration showing a method of extracting an image signature described in Patent Document 1.

FIG. 19 is an illustration showing examples of images in which correlation between local regions is large.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment [Configuration of First Embodiment]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image signature extraction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a system for outputting, with respect to an input image, a feature vector (more specifically, a quantization index vector) formed of a plurality of dimensions, as an image signature. The image signature extraction device includes a dimension determination unit 1, an extraction region acquisition unit 2, a region feature calculation unit 3, and a comparison unit 4.

The dimension determination unit 1 determines a dimension of a feature vector to be extracted next, and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2. The dimension determination unit 1 sequentially supplies dimensions of the feature vector to be extracted, and the constituent elements after the extraction region acquisition unit 2 extract features corresponding to the supplied dimensions. For example, if a feature vector is formed of N dimensions, the dimension determination unit 1 may sequentially supply the 1^(st) dimension to the N^(th) dimension to the extraction region acquisition unit 2. The dimensions may be supplied in any order if all of the dimensions of the feature vector are supplied finally. It is also possible to supply a plurality of dimensions in parallel.

To the extraction region acquisition unit 2, each-dimension extraction region information is supplied as an input, besides the dimensions supplied from the dimension determination unit 1.

The each-dimension extraction region information is information indicating a predetermined pair of a first extraction region and a second extraction region for extracting the feature of a dimension, which is associated with each dimension of a feature vector. The first and second extraction regions have the following features as prerequisites.

[Prerequisites of First and Second Extraction Regions]

Prerequisites of the first and second extraction regions are that relative positions of a pair of extraction regions are different among the dimensions, and combinations of the shapes of the pair of extraction regions are different among the dimensions.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary pair of extraction regions, satisfying the prerequisites, for each of the dimensions indicated by the each-dimension extraction information. Different from the extraction regions for an image signature shown in FIG. 18, combinations of the shapes of the pairs of extraction regions are different among the respective dimensions. Different in shape includes the same shapes of different angles (e.g., the second extraction region of the 1^(st) dimension and the first extraction region of the 7^(th) dimension in FIG. 2), and similar shapes of different sizes (e.g., the second extraction region of the 1^(st) dimension and the second extraction region of the 9^(th) dimension in FIG. 2). It should be noted that a minimum condition is that at least one dimension, in which a pair of extraction regions have a combination of different shapes, is included in all of the dimensions of a feature vector. It is desirable that a feature vector includes a larger number of dimensions having pairs of extraction regions in (a combination of) different shapes from each other. This is because as a feature vector includes a larger number of pairs of extraction regions in (a combination of) different shapes from each other, a larger number of correlations between dimensions become smaller in the feature vector, whereby the discrimination capability becomes higher. For example, the shapes of a pair extraction regions may be different from each other in every dimensions in a feature vector.

A first extraction region and a second extraction region in a dimension are not necessarily in the same shape as shown in the 9^(th) dimension of FIG. 2, but may be in different shapes as shown in other dimensions of FIG. 2. If the shapes of a first extraction region and a second extraction in each dimension are different, the correlation between the features extracted from the first extraction region and the second extraction region becomes smaller, whereby the discrimination capability becomes higher. As such, it is desirable. Further, in that case, as a possibility that the first extraction region and the second extraction region become blind spots for the same frequency at the same time is low, the discrimination capability becomes high.

The respective extraction regions may take any shapes. For example, any complicated shapes, such as the second extraction region of the 6^(th) dimension in FIG. 2, are also acceptable. If extraction regions are formed of a plurality of pixels of an image, a line segment and a curved line are also acceptable as show in the 7^(th) dimension and the 10^(th) dimensions in FIG. 2. Further, an extraction region may consist of a plurality of discontinuous small regions, as the first extraction region of the 8^(th) dimension, the first and second extraction regions of the 11^(th) dimension, and the first extraction region of the 12^(th) dimension. As described above, if a feature vector includes extraction regions in complicated shapes, correlation between the dimensions of the features extracted therefrom can be lowered, whereby the discrimination capability can be higher.

Further, it is also possible that portions of a first extraction region and a second extraction region overlap each other, as in the 5^(th) dimension of FIG. 2. Further, either one of a pair of extraction regions may be included in the other one. As described above, by allowing overlapping of a pair of extraction regions, as a larger number of patterns (relative position, distance) can be taken for pairs of extraction regions, patterns enabling to reduce the correlation between dimensions can be increased, whereby the possibility of improving the discrimination capability is increased.

Further, portions of extraction regions may overlap each other between dimensions as the respective dimensions shown in FIG. 2, different from the extraction regions for the image signature shown in FIG. 18. If extraction regions are taken exclusively between dimensions as shown in the extraction regions for the image signature shown in FIG. 18, possible patterns of pairs of extraction regions are limited. By allowing overlapping of extraction regions between dimensions as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to increase patterns enabling to reduce the correlation between dimensions, whereby the possibility of improving the discrimination capability is increased. However, if there are too many overlapped portions of extract regions between dimensions, correlation between dimensions becomes large so that the discrimination capability becomes low. As such, it is not desirable.

Further, it is desirable that extraction regions are taken such that the region from which features are not extracted is small (which means almost all of the screen image can be covered) when the extraction regions for all dimensions are combined. If the region from which features are not extracted is large as in the case of FIG. 18, a large portion of the information included in the image signal (pixel values of the pixels constituting the image) is not used, so that the discrimination capability is not high. By taking extraction regions such that the region from which features are not extracted is small (which means almost all of the screen image can be covered) when the extraction regions for all dimensions are combined, a larger portion of the information included in the image signal can be reflected on the features, whereby the discrimination capability can be high. Further, it is desirable that extraction features are not biased but obtained uniformly from the entire image, when the extraction regions for all dimensions are combined. However, if the probability of performing local processing such as caption superimposition on a specific region is high, it is desirable to obtain extraction regions while avoiding such a region. Further, generally, as regions around the edge of an image often do not include feature portions of the image, it is desirable to obtain extraction regions while avoiding such surrounding regions.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the size and the relative position (distance, direction) of the extraction regions follow certain distribution (uniform distribution, for example), because if the relative position (distance, direction) follows the uniform distribution, the extraction region are not biased with respect to the distance or direction whereby the extraction regions do not concentrate on a particular distance or direction, whereby a wider variety can be achieved. Further, as the correlation between regions is larger as the relative positions are close, in order to offset such an effect, it is desirable that the difference in shape is larger as the relative positions are closer.

The each-dimension extraction region information may be in any form if a first extraction region and a second extraction region for each dimension can be uniquely specified with the information. Further, as an extraction region must always be the same region with respect to an image of any size or aspect ratio, the each-dimension extraction region information should be in a form which can obtain the same extraction region with respect to an image of any size or aspect ratio. For example, the each-region extraction region may describe the position and the shape of an extraction region with respect to an image having a predetermined size and aspect ratio (for example, an image having a horizontal width of 320 pixels×a vertical width of 240 pixels). In that case, with respect to an image input with an arbitrary size and aspect ratio, resizing the image first to have the predetermined size and aspect ratio and then specifying the extraction region in accordance with the position and the shape of the extraction region described in the each-dimension extraction region information. In contrast, it is also possible to convert the position and the shape of the extraction region described in the each-dimension extraction region information corresponding to the image of any size and aspect ratio of the input image to thereby specify the extraction region.

The information indicating each extraction region included in the each-dimension extraction region information may be information describing a set of coordinate values of all pixels constituting the extraction region with respect to an image of a predetermined size and aspect ratio (for example, an image having a horizontal width of 320 pixels×a vertical width of 240 pixels). Further, the information indicating each extraction region included in the each-dimension extraction region information may be information describing, with parameters, the position and the shape of the extraction region with respect to an image of a predetermined size and aspect ratio. For example, if the shape of the extraction region is a quadrangle, the information may describe the coordinate values of the four corners of the quadrangle. Further, if the shape of the extraction region is a circle, the information may describe the coordinate values of the center and the radius value of the circle.

Further, it is also possible to adopt a method of generating, with use of a seed of pseudo random numbers as an each-dimension extraction region information, pseudo random numbers by starting from the seed inside the extraction region acquisition unit 2 to thereby generate extraction regions in different shapes according to the random numbers (for example, the four corners of a quadrangle are determined according to the random numbers). Specifically, an each-dimension extraction region can be acquired according to the following procedure.

(1) A seed of pseudo random numbers is supplied as each-dimension extraction region information.

(2) A dimension n is set to be n=1

(3) Pseudo random numbers are generated, and the four corners of a quadrangle of a first extraction region for the dimension n are determined.

(4) Pseudo random numbers are generated, and the four corners of a quadrangle of a second extraction region for the dimension n are determined.

(5) A dimension n is set to be n+1, and the procedure returns to (3).

As the extraction regions are determined based on the random numbers, the generated extraction regions are different from each other for respective dimensions. Further, if the seed of the pseudo random numbers is the same, as the same random numbers are generated each time (with respect to any images), the same extraction regions are reproduced for different images.

The extraction region acquisition unit 2 acquires, from the each-dimension extraction region information supplied as an input, information indicating the first extraction region and the second extraction region corresponding to the dimension supplied from the dimension determination unit 1, and outputs the information to the extraction region representative value calculation unit 3.

To the region feature calculation unit 3, an image which is an extraction target for an image signature is supplied as an input, besides the input from the extraction region acquisition unit 2 (information indicating the first extraction region and the second extraction region). The region feature calculation unit 3 includes a first region feature calculation unit 31 and a second region feature calculation unit 32. With use of the first region feature calculation unit 31, the region feature calculation unit 3 calculates, from the image supplied as an input, a feature of the first extraction region as a first region feature for each dimension based on the information indicating the first extraction region supplied from the extraction region acquisition unit 2, and supplies the feature to the comparison unit 4. Further, with use of the second region feature calculation unit 32, the region feature calculation unit 3 calculates, from the image supplied as an input, a feature of the second extraction region as a second region feature for each dimension based on the information indicating the second extraction region supplied from the extraction region acquisition unit 2, and supplies the feature to the comparison unit 4.

It should be noted that in order to specify the respective extraction regions with respect to the input image based on the information indicating the first extraction region and the second extraction region, the region feature calculation unit 2 resizes the image to have a predetermined size and aspect ratio in the each-dimension extraction region information, if necessary.

The region feature calculation unit 3 calculates region features of the respective extraction regions using the pixel values of a group of pixels included in the respective extraction regions. In this embodiment, a pixel value is a value of a signal held by each pixel of the image, which is a scalar quantity or a vector quantity. For example, if the image is a luminance image, a pixel value is a luminance value (scalar quantity), and if the image is a color image, a pixel value is a vector quantity indicating a color component. If the color image is an RGB image, a pixel value is a three-dimensional vector quantity of an R component, a G component, and a B component. Further, if the color image is a YCbCr image, a pixel value is a three-dimensional vector quantity of a Y component, a Cb component, and a Cr component.

For calculating the region features of the extraction regions, any methods can be used if a method of calculating the extraction regions (first extraction region and the second extraction region) of the dimension is constant (the same calculation method is used for any input images).

Further, the region feature to be calculated may be a scalar quantity or a vector quantity. For example, if a pixel value is a scalar quantity such as a luminance value, the region feature may be calculated as an average value, a median value, a mode value, a maximum value, a minimum value, or the like (each of them is a scalar quantity). Further, it is also possible to sort pixel values included in an extraction region, and obtain a pixel value at a predetermined proportional position from the top or the bottom of the distribution (sorted order) as a region feature (which is also a scalar quantity), for example. More specifically, explanation will be given for the case where P % of the percentage (e.g., P=25%) is the predetermined proportion.

Pixel values (luminance values) of the total N pieces of pixels included in an extraction region are sorted in ascending order, and a set of the pixel values (luminance values) sorted in ascending order is indicated as Y(i)={Y(0), Y(1), Y(2), . . . , Y(N−1)}. In this example, a pixel value at a position of P % from the bottom of the permutation sorted in ascending order is Y(floor(N*P/100)) for example, so this value is obtained as a region feature of the extraction region. It should be noted that floor( ) is a function in which after the decimal point is truncated. In this example, a region feature calculated by applying this formula (Y(floor(N*P/100))) with respect to the luminance value of the pixel included in the extraction region is referred to as a “percentile luminance value feature”.

Further, if the pixel value is a vector quantity such as a color component, it is possible to first convert the value into a scalar quantity by means of any method, and then calculate a region feature by the above-described method. For example, if the pixel value is a three-dimensional vector quantity of RGB components, it is possible to first convert the value into a luminance value which is a scalar quantity, and then calculate a region feature by the above-described method. Further, if the pixel value is a vector quantity, it is also possible to use an average vector of the pixel values included in the extraction region as a region feature.

Further, it is also possible to perform any operation (differential operation, filtering operation) such as edge detection or template matching with respect to an extraction region, and use the operation result as a region feature. For example, it may be a two-dimensional vector quantity indicating the edge direction (gradient direction), or a scalar quantity indicating the similarity with a template.

Further, a histogram showing the color distribution, edge direction distribution, or edge intensity distribution, included in the extraction region, may be obtained as a region feature (each of them is a vector quantity).

Further, any of the various types of features defined in ISO/IEC 15938-3 may be used, which include dominant color, color layout, scalable color, color structure, edge histogram, homogeneous texture, texture browsing, region shape, contour shape, shape 3D, parametric motion, and motion activity.

The comparison unit 4 compares the first region feature with the second region feature supplied from the region feature calculation unit 3 for each dimension, and quantizes the comparison result to output the acquired quantization index. As the comparison unit 4 outputs quantization indexes for the respective dimensions, a quantization index vector consisting of the quantization indexes of a plurality of dimensions is finally output.

The comparison unit 4 may use any methods to compare a first region feature with a second region feature and perform quantization. Also, the number of quantization indexes for each dimension is also arbitrary.

If the region features are scalar quantities (e.g., average luminance) for example, the comparison unit 4 may compare their magnitudes, and if the first region feature is larger, set the quantization index to be +1, and in other cases, sets the quantization index to be −1, so as to quantize the comparison result into binary values of quantization indexes of +1 and −1. In should be noted that regarding a dimension n, if the first region feature is Vn1 and the second region feature is Vn2, a quantization index Qn of the dimension n can be calculated by the following expression.

Qn=+1 (if Vn1>Vn2)

−1 (if Vn1≦Vn2)  [Expression 1]

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed configuration diagram of the comparison unit 4 when the comparison unit 4 performs comparison and quantization based on the above Expression 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the comparison unit 4 includes a magnitude comparison unit 41 and a quantization unit 42.

When the first region feature and the second region features are supplied, the magnitude comparison unit 41 compares the value of a first region feature with the value of the second region feature, and supplies the comparison result to the quantization unit 42. This means that the magnitude comparison unit 41 compares the magnitude of Vn1 with that of Vn2, and supplies information indicating whether the comparison result is Vn1>Vn2 or Vn1≦Vn2 to the quantization unit 42 as a magnitude comparison result.

Based on the magnitude comparison result supplied from the magnitude comparison unit 41, the quantization unit 42 performs quantization according to Expression 1, and outputs a quantization index. As such, the quantization unit 42 outputs a quantization index in such a manner that if information indicating that the comparison result is Vn1>Vn2 is supplied, a quantization index is +1, while if information indicating that the comparison result is Vn1≦Vn2 is supplied, an quantization index is −1.

It should be noted that the comparison and quantization method according to Expression 1 is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method A.

Further, if the region feature is a scalar volume (e.g., an average luminance), the comparison unit 4 may perform quantization in such a manner that if the absolute value of the difference value is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is no difference between the first region feature and the second region feature so that a quantization index 0 indicating no difference is set, and in other cases, the comparison unit 4 compares their magnitude and if the first region feature is larger, a quantization index +1 is set, while in other cases, a quantization index −1 is set, whereby the quantization index is in any of ternary values of +1, 0, and −1. Assuming that the first region feature of a dimension n is Vn1 and the second region feature thereof is Vn2 and a predetermined threshold is th, a quantization index Qn of the dimension n can be calculated from the following expression.

$\begin{matrix} {{Qn} = {{{+ 1}\left( {{{if}{{{{Vn}\; 1} - {{Vn}\; 2}}}} > {{th}\mspace{14mu} {and}{\mspace{11mu} \;}{Vn}\; 1} > {{Vn}\; 2}} \right)0\left( {{{if}{{{{Vn}\; 1} - {{Vn}\; 2}}}} \leq {th}} \right)} - {1\left( {{{if}{{{{Vn}\; 1} - {{Vn}\; 2}}}} > {{th}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} {Vn}\; 1} \leq {{Vn}\; 2}} \right)}}} & \left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack \end{matrix}$

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed configuration diagram of the comparison unit 4 when the comparison unit 4 performs comparison and quantization according to Expression 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the comparison unit 4 includes a difference value calculation unit 43 and a quantization unit 44. To the quantization unit 44, a threshold which is predetermined information indicating the boundary of quantization (quantization boundary information) is supplied beforehand as an input.

When the first region feature and the second region feature are supplied, the difference value calculation unit 43 calculates a difference value between the value of the first region feature and the value of the second region feature, and supplies the calculated difference value to the quantization unit 44. This means that the difference value calculation unit 43 calculates Vn1−Vn2, and supplies the resultant value to the quantization unit 44.

The quantization unit 44 performs quantization according to Expression 2 based on the difference value supplied from the difference value calculation unit 43 and a threshold which is information indicating the predetermined boundary of quantization (quantization boundary information) supplied as an input, and outputs a quantization index. This means that the quantization unit 42 outputs a quantization index based on the value of Vn1−Vn2 supplied from the difference value calculation unit 41 and the threshold th supplied as an index, in such a manner that if |Vn1−Vn2|>th and Vn1-Vn2>0, the quantization index is +1, if |Vn1−Vn2|>th and Vn1−Vn2≦0, the quantization value is −1, and if |Vn1−Vn2|≦th, the quantization index is 0.

The comparison and quantization method based on Expression 2 is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method B.

Although quantization is performed in ternary values based on the difference value in this example, it is possible to perform quantization in a larger number of (levels of) quantization indexes according to the magnitude of the difference value. Even in that case, the comparison unit 4 has the configuration as shown in FIG. 4, and to the quantization unit 44, a plurality of thresholds as information indicating the predetermined boundaries of quantization for respective levels (quantization boundary information) are supplied as inputs. A comparison and quantization method for quantization into four or more levels, based on this difference value and the thresholds supplied as inputs, is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method C.

As described above, by introducing a quantization index indicating there is no difference for the case where the difference between the first region feature and the second region feature is small (smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold) so that it is determined that no difference exists, it is possible to make the feature (quantization index) in a dimension of a pair of extraction regions having a small difference between the region features more stable, that is, more robust with respect to various alteration process and noise, compared with the method according to Expression 1. As such, it is possible to output an image signature (quantization index vector) which is stable with respect to an image having less difference between local regions in whole, that is, an flat image having less variations in whole (e.g., an image of blue sky), and is robust with respect to various alteration processes and noise.

Further, if the region feature is a vector quantity, for example, the comparison unit 4 may first convert the vector quantity into a scalar quantity by means of any arbitrary method, and then perform quantization by the above-described method (this comparison and quantization method is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method D). It is also possible to calculate a difference vector, which is a difference from the vector of a second extraction region, from the vector of a first extraction region, and quantize the difference vector to thereby obtain a quantization index, for example. In that case, representative vectors (center of gravity vectors, etc) predetermined for respective quantization indexes are supplied, and are classified into quantization indexes having the largest similarity (smallest distance) between the representative vectors and the difference vectors (this comparison and quantization method is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method E). Further, similar to the quantization of a scalar quantity according to the above-described Expression 2, if a norm of the difference vector is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, it is possible to determine that there is no difference between the first region feature and the second region feature to thereby introduce a quantization index indicating no difference as a quantization index 0 which indicates no difference.

It should be noted that when matching quantization index vectors output in the present invention (when comparing a quantization index vector extracted from an image with a quantization index vector extracted from another image to determine whether or not they are identical), the number of dimensions in which quantization indexes conform (similarity) or the number of dimensions in which quantization indexes do not conform (Hamming distance) may be calculated as an identity scale, which is compared with a threshold, whereby the identity of the images can be determined. Further, if the quantization indexes are calculated based on Expression 2 in the comparison unit 4, an identity scale (similarity) can be calculated as follows. First, quantization index vectors of two images are compared with each other between corresponding dimensions, and the number of dimensions in which not “both quantization indexes are 0” is calculated (this value is set to be A). Next, in the dimensions in which not “both quantization indexes are 0”, the number of dimensions in which the quantization indexes conform is calculated (this value is set to be B). Then, a similarity is calculated as B/A. If A=0 (that is, if both quantization indexes are 0 in every dimensions), the similarity is set to be a predetermined numerical value (e.g., 0.5).

[Operation of First Embodiment]

Next, operation of the image signature extraction device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, a dimension (number) of a feature vector is indicated by “n”, and there are N dimensions in total from 1 to N.

First, the dimension determination unit 1 determines a dimension 1 as the first dimension (n=1) for extracting a feature vector, and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 (step A1).

Next, the extraction region acquisition unit 2 acquires information indicating a first extraction region and a second extraction region of the dimension n from each-dimension extraction region information supplied as an input, and supplies it to the region feature calculation unit 3 (step A2).

Then, the region feature calculation unit 3 calculates a first region feature and a second region feature of the dimension n from the image supplied as an input, and supplies the features to the comparison unit 4 (step A3).

Then, the comparison unit 4 compares the first region feature with the second region feature of the dimension n, quantizes the comparison result, and outputs a quantization index (step A4).

Then, it is determined whether or not output of quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (that is, it is determined whether n<N is true or false) (step A5). If output of quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (that is, if n<N is false), the processing ends. If output of quantization indexes for all dimensions has not been completed (that is, if n<N is true), the processing proceeds to step A6. At step A6, the dimension determination unit 1 determines the next dimension for extracting a feature vector (n=n+1), and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2. Then, the processing returns to step A2.

It should be noted that although the extraction processing is performed in order from the dimension 1 to the dimension N, any order may be taken without being limited to this order. Further, it is also possible to perform the extraction processing for a plurality of dimensions in parallel, without limiting to the above processing procedure.

[Effects of First Embodiment]

Next, advantageous effects of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

A first advantageous effect is that the discrimination capability, which is a degree of discriminating different images, of an image signature constituted of feature vectors of a plurality of dimensions can be improved. In particular, this effect is significant with respect to an image having large correlation between local regions of the image.

This is because as the shapes of the regions for extracting the features are different among the dimensions (the shapes of the regions are variable), correlation among the dimensions can be reduced.

A second advantageous effect is that a discrimination capability will not be degraded with respect to an image in which signals concentrate on a particular frequency.

This is because as the shapes of the regions for extracting the features are different among the dimensions (the shapes of the regions are variable), even with respect to an image in which signals concentrate on a particular frequency, a case where there is no difference between features of all (many) pairs of extraction regions (dimensions) at the same time so that the discrimination capability is deteriorated, is less caused.

Second Embodiment [Configuration of Second Embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the comparison unit 4 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is replaced with a comparison unit 4A shown in FIG. 6 in detail. As the components other than the comparison unit 4A are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description of those components is omitted in this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the comparison unit 4A includes a difference value calculation unit 43, a quantization boundary determination unit 45, and a quantization unit 44.

The difference value calculation unit calculates a difference value between a first region feature and a second region feature supplied from the region feature calculation unit 3 for each dimension, and supplies the difference value to the quantization boundary determination unit 45 and the quantization unit 44.

If the region features are scalar quantities (e.g., an average luminance), the difference value is a scalar quantity obtained by subtracting the second region feature from the first region feature (or vice versa), for example. If the region features are vector quantities, it is also possible to obtain a difference value of scalar quantities after converting the respective vectors into scalar quantities by means of an arbitrary method. Further, if the region features are vector quantities, it is possible to use a difference vector between the first region feature and the second region feature as a difference value (vector quantity).

When the difference values for all dimensions of the feature vector, supplied from the difference value calculation unit 43, are supplied to the quantization boundary determination unit 45, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 determines the boundary of quantization based on the distribution of the difference values of all dimensions, and supplies information regarding the determined quantization boundary to the quantization unit 44. It should be noted that distribution of the difference values of all dimensions means frequency (probability) of occurrence with respect to the difference values (or the difference vector).

Further, determination of the boundary of quantization means determination of parameters to be assigned to the quantization indexes exclusively without fail, when quantizing the difference values. If the difference value is a scalar quantity, a value range (that is, a threshold) with respect to each quantization index (quantization level) is determined, and such a value range (threshold) is supplied to the quantization unit 43 as information of the quantization boundary, for example. Alternatively, if the difference value is a vector quantity, a parameter for performing vector quantization for example, that is, a representative vector of the respective quantization indexes, for example, is determined and supplied to the quantization unit 44 as information of the quantization boundary.

If the difference value is a scalar quantity and quantization of M value (M=2, 3, . . . etc.) is to be performed, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 may determine the value range (threshold) for quantization based on the distribution of the difference values of all dimensions such that the proportions of the respective quantization indexes, with respect to all dimension, become equal.

For example, as a variation of Expression 1, in the case of performing quantization in 2 values (M=2) using a constant α where the quantization index is +1 if Vn1+α>Vn2 while the quantization index is −1 if Vn1+α≦Vn, the center point of the distribution of the difference values (the point where the integral values of left and right distributions become equal) may be determined to be a threshold α of the quantization such that the proportions of quantization indexes +1 and quantization indexes −1 become equal. Similarly, when performing quantization in M values if the difference values are vector quantities, it is possible to determine regions of the vector space assigned to the respective quantization indexes or determine a representative vector (e.g., center of gravity vector) of the respective quantization indexes when performing vector quantization, such that the proportions of the respective quantization indexes with respect to all dimensions become equal, based on the distribution of the difference vectors of all dimensions. As described above, by allowing the proportions of quantization indexes with respect to all dimensions to be equal (that is, eliminating bias of quantization indexes), the entropy can be increased, so that the identification capability can be improved.

A comparison and quantization method, in which the quantization boundary determination unit 45 determines the boundary of quantization such that the proportions of the quantization indexes with respect to all dimensions become equal and the quantization unit 44 performs quantization based on the determined boundary, is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method F.

Further, if the difference value is a scalar quantity and quantization is performed in ternary values (quantization indexes are +1, 0, −1) by means of Expression 2, for example, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 may determine a threshold th used for quantization to an quantization index 0 indicating no difference (quantization index is set to be 0 if smaller than or equal to this threshold) based on the distribution of difference values of all dimension, and supply the determined threshold th to the quantization unit 44 (in the comparison unit 4 shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, the threshold th has been set beforehand). For example, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 may calculate absolute values of the difference values of all dimensions, sort the calculated values, and set a point at a predetermined proportion from the top or the bottom (such a predetermined proportion is supplied as an input, for example) to be the threshold th (this comparison and quantization method is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method G). Further, it is also possible to determine the threshold th not by a predetermined proportion but by a manner by which the proportions of quantization indexes of +1, 0, −1 become close to equal (this comparison and quantization method is hereinafter referred to as a comparison and quantization method H). The comparison and quantization method H corresponds to a specific example of the comparison and quantization method F performed in accordance with Expression 2.

A more specific method of the comparison and quantization method G will be explained with an example where the predetermined percentage is P % (e.g., P=25%). The absolute values of the difference values of all dimensions (the number of dimensions=N) are sorted in ascending order, and a set of the absolute values, sorted in ascending order, of the difference values is indicated as D(i)={D(0), D(1), D(2), . . . D(N−1)}. In this example, the value at a position of P % from the bottom of the order sorted in an ascending manner is D(floor(N*P/100)) for example, and the threshold th=D(floor(N*P/100)). It should be noted that floor( ) is a function in which the places after the decimal point are truncated.

The method in the present embodiment can be compared with the case where the comparison unit 4 takes the configuration shown in FIG. 4, as in the first embodiment. While a predetermined threshold th is supplied as an input in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, in the above-described method of the second embodiment, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 calculates a threshold th adaptively with respect to the image, based on the distribution of the difference values of all dimensions. As described above, while the threshold th is fixed in the first embodiment, the threshold th is calculated adaptively with respect to the image in the second embodiment. As the threshold th is calculated adaptively with respect to the image, it is possible to prevent the values of the dimensions of a feature vector from being biased to particular quantization indexes (probability of appearance of particular quantization indexes is high) compared with the case where the threshold th is fixed (particularly with respect to an image having less relief), the discrimination capability can be higher. For example, in the case of using a fixed threshold th as in the first embodiment, quantization indexes become 0 in most of the dimensions (or all of the dimensions) of a feature vector in the image of less relief. However, if an adaptive threshold th of the second embodiment is used, as the threshold is automatically adjusted to a small value with respect to an image having less relief, the case where quantization indexes become 0 in most of the dimensions of the feature vector will not be caused.

The quantization unit 44 performs quantization based on the difference values of the respective dimensions supplied from the difference value calculation unit 43 and the information of the quantization boundary supplied from the quantization boundary determination unit 45, and outputs quantization indexes.

It should be noted that the quantization unit 44 must follow the quantization method which has been expected when the quantization boundary determination unit 45 determined the quantization boundary, because there is no point if the quantization unit 44 performs quantization without taking into account the quantization boundary information output from the quantization boundary determination unit 45.

[Operation of Second Embodiment]

Next, operation of the image signature extraction device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, a dimension (number) of a feature vector is indicated by “n”, and there are N dimensions in total from 1 to N.

First, the dimension determination unit 1 determines a dimension 1 as the first dimension (n=1) for extracting a feature vector, and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 (step B1).

Next, the extraction region acquisition unit 2 acquires information indicating a first extraction region and a second extraction region of the dimension n from each-dimension extraction region information supplied as an input, and supplies the information to the region feature representative value calculation unit 3 (step B2).

Then, the region feature representative value calculation unit 3 calculates a first region feature and a second region feature of the dimension n from the image supplied as an input, and supplies the features to the difference value calculation unit 43 (step B3).

Then, the difference value calculation unit 43 calculates a difference value between the first region feature and the second region feature of the dimension n, and supplies the difference value to the quantization boundary determination unit 45 and the quantization unit 44 (step B4).

Then, it is determined whether or not the processing up to calculation of the difference values for all dimensions has been completed (that is, it is determined whether n<N is true or false) (step B5). If the processing up to calculation of the difference values for all dimensions has been completed (that is, if n<N is false), the processing proceeds to step B7. If the processing up to calculation of the difference values for all dimensions has not been completed (that is, if n<N is true), the processing proceeds to step B6. At step B6, the dimension determination unit 1 determines the next dimension for extracting a feature vector (n=n+1), and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2. Then, the processing returns to step B2.

It should be noted that although the extraction processing is performed in order from the dimension 1 to the dimension N in this embodiment, any order may be taken without being limited to this order.

Then, when the difference values for all dimensions of the feature vector supplied from the difference value calculation unit 43 have been supplied, the quantization boundary determination unit 45 determines the boundary of quantization based on the distribution of the difference values of the all dimensions, and supplies the determined quantization boundary information to the quantization unit 44 (step B7).

Then, at step B8, dimension 1 is set (n=1) as the first dimension for performing quantization (quantization indexes are calculated).

Then, the quantization unit 44 performs quantization based on the difference value of the dimension n and the quantization boundary supplied from the quantization boundary determination unit 45, and outputs a quantization index (step B9).

Then, it is determined whether or not output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (that is, it is determined whether n<N is true or false) (step B10). If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (that is, if n<N is false), the processing ends. If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has not been completed (that is, if n<N is true), the processing proceeds to step B11. At step B11, as a dimension of a feature vector for performing quantization, the next dimension is set (n=n+1). Then, the processing returns to step B9.

It should be noted that although the extraction processing is performed in order from the dimension 1 to the dimension N in this embodiment, any order may be taken without being limited to this order.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]

Compares with the first embodiment in which the boundary of quantization is fixed, the second embodiment is different in that the boundary of quantization is calculated adaptively (dynamically) with respect to an image. If the boundary of quantization is fixed as in the first embodiment, there is a case where the values of the dimensions of a feature vector are biased to particular quantization indexes (probability of appearance of particular quantization indexes is high) with respect to a particular image (e.g., a flat image having less relief) (entropy is low), causing a problem that the discrimination capability is deteriorated with respect to such an image. On the other hand, if the boundary of quantization is adaptively (dynamically) calculated with respect to an image as in the second embodiment, as it is possible to prevent the case where the values of the dimensions of a feature vector is biased to particular quantization indexes (probability of appearance of particular quantization indexes is high) with respect to any images, the discrimination capability can be improved.

Third Embodiment [Configuration of Third Embodiment]

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 8, the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 is added, and the region feature calculation unit 3 is replaced with a region feature calculation unit 3A including a first region feature calculation unit 31A and a second region feature calculation unit 32A. As the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, the explanation thereof is omitted in this embodiment. It should be noted that although a combination with the first embodiment is described in this embodiment, a combination with the second embodiment is also acceptable.

To the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5, a dimension from the dimension determination unit 1 and each-dimension region feature calculation method information are supplied.

The each-dimension region feature calculation method information is information indicating a method of calculating a region feature in a dimension, which is associated with each dimension of a feature vector, and a prerequisite is that region feature calculation methods must be different among the dimensions. It should be noted that region feature calculation methods being different includes applying different parameters (threshold or the like) to the identical procedure.

In this embodiment, region feature calculation methods include various types of methods described in the explanation of the region feature calculation unit 3 of the first embodiment, and the parameters associated thereto.

It should be noted that the region feature calculation method for each dimension indicated by the each-dimension region feature calculation method information has a minimum condition such that at least one pair of dimensions in which the region feature calculation methods are different should be included in the all dimensions of the feature vector. It is desirable that the number of dimensions in which region feature calculation methods are different is larger, because as the number of such dimensions is larger, the number of dimensions having small correlation between them is smaller in the feature vector, whereby the discrimination capability is higher. For example, the region feature calculation methods may be different in all dimensions in the feature vector.

It should be noted that the information showing the region feature calculation method for each dimension may take any form, if the method of calculating the region feature is uniquely specified.

FIG. 9 shows examples of the region feature calculation methods for respective dimensions. As shown in FIG. 9, the region feature calculation methods are different among the dimensions. Further, as shown in the examples of FIG. 9, features of scalar quantities and vector quantities may be mixed (the 1^(st), 3^(rd), 5^(th), 6^(th), 8^(th), 9^(th), 10^(th), and 12^(th) dimensions are scalar quantities and 2^(nd), 4^(th), 7^(th), and the 11^(th) dimensions are vector quantities).

The region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 acquires, from the each-dimension region feature calculation method information supplied as an input, information indicating the region feature calculation method associated with the dimension supplied from the dimension determination unit 1, and supplies the information to the region feature calculation unit 3A.

The region feature calculation unit 3A calculates, based on information indicating a first extraction region and a second extraction region supplied from the extraction region acquisition unit for each dimension, a feature of the first extraction region and a feature of the second extraction region as a first region feature and a second region feature, respectively, from the image supplied as an input, according to the information indicating the region feature calculation method supplied from the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5, and supplies the features to the comparison unit 4.

In the region feature calculation unit 3A, it is necessary that the dimension of the information indicating the extraction region to be supplied and the dimension of the information indicating the region feature calculation method are synchronized.

[Operation of Third Embodiment]

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, operation of the image signature extraction device according to the third embodiment will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, a dimension (number) of a feature vector is indicated by “n”, and there are N dimensions in total from 1 to N.

First, the dimension determination unit 1 determines a dimension 1 as the first dimension (n=1) for extracting a feature vector, and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 and the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 (step C1). Next, the extraction region acquisition unit 2 acquires information indicating a first extraction region and a second extraction region of the dimension n from each-dimension extraction region information supplied as an input, and supplies the information to the region feature calculation unit 3A (step C2).

Then, the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 acquires information indicating the region feature calculation method corresponding to the dimension n from the each-dimension region feature calculation method information supplied as an input, and supplies the information to the region feature calculation unit 3A (step C3).

Then, the region feature calculation unit 3A calculates a first region feature and a second region feature of the dimension n from the image supplied as an input, and supplies the features to the comparison unit 4 (step C4). Then, the comparison unit 4 compares the first region feature with the second region feature of the dimension n, quantizes the comparison result, and outputs a quantization index (step C5). Then, it is determined whether or not output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (step C6). If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed, the processing ends. If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has not been completed, the processing proceeds to step C7. At step C7, the dimension determination unit 1 determines the next dimension for extracting a feature vector (n=n+1), and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 and the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5. Then, the processing returns to step C2.

It should be noted that although the extraction processing is performed in order from the dimension 1 to the dimension N in this embodiment, any order may be taken without being limited to this order. Further, it is also possible to perform the extraction processing for a plurality of dimensions in parallel, without limiting to such processing procedures. Further, step C2 and step C3 may be in reverse order.

[Effect of Third Embodiment]

In addition to the advantageous effects of the first embodiment, the third embodiment has an advantageous effect that the discrimination capability which is a degree of discriminating different images can be further improved.

This is because as the region feature calculation methods are different among the dimensions (variable region feature calculation methods are used), correlation among dimensions can be small.

Fourth Embodiment [Configuration of Fourth Embodiment]

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 11, the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a comparison method acquisition unit 6 is added, and the comparison unit 4 is replaced with a comparison unit 4B. As the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment, the explanation thereof is omitted in this embodiment. It should be noted that although a combination with the first embodiment is described in this embodiment, a combination with the second embodiment and a combination with the third embodiment are also acceptable.

To the comparison unit acquisition unit 6, a dimension from the dimension determination unit 1 and each-dimension comparison method information are supplied.

The each-dimension comparison and quantization method information is information indicating a method of comparing region features in a dimension which is associated with each dimension of a feature vector and performing quantization, and a prerequisite is that comparison and quantization methods must be different among the dimensions. It should be noted that comparison and quantization methods being different includes applying different parameters (threshold, quantization index number, or the like) to the identical procedure.

In this embodiment, comparison and quantization methods include various types of comparison and quantization methods described in the explanation of the comparison unit 4 of the first embodiment, and the parameters associated thereto (threshold, the number of quantization indexes, or the like), and various types of comparison and quantization methods described in the explanation of the comparison unit 4A of the second embodiment, and the parameters associated thereto (threshold, the number of quantization indexes, or the like).

It should be noted that the comparison and quantization method for each dimension indicated by the each-dimension comparison and quantization method information has a minimum condition that at least one pair of dimensions in which the comparison and quantization method is different should be included in the all dimensions of the feature vector. It is desirable that the number of dimensions in which comparison and quantization methods are different is larger, because as the number of such dimensions is larger, the number of dimensions having small correlation between them is larger in the feature vector, whereby the discrimination capability becomes higher. For example, the comparison and quantization methods may be different in all dimensions in the feature vector.

It should be noted that the information showing the comparison and quantization method for each dimension may take any form if the method of comparing and quantizing the region feature is uniquely specified.

FIG. 12 shows examples of the comparison and quantization methods for respective dimensions. As shown in FIG. 12, comparison and quantization methods are different among the dimensions. Further, different parameters (thresholds th) may be set in the same comparison and quantization methods as in the 3^(rd), 5^(th), and 12^(th) dimensions. It should be noted that the examples of comparison and quantization methods for the respective dimensions shown in FIG. 12 are associated with the region feature calculation methods for the respective dimensions shown in FIG. 9. As such, comparison and quantization methods for scalar quantities are shown as examples for the region features of scalar quantities, and comparison and quantization methods for vector quantities are shown as examples for the region features of vector quantities.

The comparison method acquisition unit 6 acquires, from the each-dimension comparison and quantization method information supplied as an input, information indicating the comparison and quantization method corresponding to the dimension supplied from the dimension determination unit 1, and supplies the information to the comparison unit 4B.

The comparison unit 4B compares a first region feature with a second region feature supplied from the region feature calculation unit 3 for each dimension and quantizes, according to the information indicating the comparison and quantization method supplied from the comparison method acquisition unit 6, and outputs a quantization index. The comparison unit 4B may have a configuration including both the comparison unit 4 of the first embodiment and the comparison unit 4B of the second embodiment if necessary, depending on the comparison and quantization method.

In the comparison unit 4B, it is necessary that the dimension of the region feature to be supplied and the dimension of the information indicating the comparison and quantization method are synchronized.

[Operation of Fourth Embodiment]

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13, operation of the image signature extraction device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, a dimension (number) of a feature vector is indicated by “n”, and there are N dimensions in total from 1 to N.

First, the dimension determination unit 1 determines a dimension 1 as the first dimension (n=1) for extracting a feature vector, and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 and the comparison method acquisition unit 6 (step D1). Next, the extraction region acquisition unit 2 acquires information indicating a first extraction region and a second extraction region of the dimension n from each-dimension extraction region information supplied as an input, and supplies it to the region feature calculation unit 3 (step D2).

Then, the comparison method acquisition unit 6 acquires information indicating the comparison and quantization method corresponding to the dimension n from the each-dimension comparison and quantization method information supplied as an input, and supplies it to the comparison unit 4B (step D3).

Then, the region feature calculation unit 3 calculates a first region feature and a second region feature of the dimension n from the image supplied as an input, and supplies the features to the comparison unit 4B (step D4). Then, the comparison unit 4B compares the first region feature with the second region feature of the dimension n, quantizes the comparison result, and outputs a quantization index (step D5). Then, it is determined whether or not output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed (step D6). If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has been completed, the processing ends. If output of the quantization indexes for all dimensions has not been completed, the processing proceeds to step D7. At step D7, the dimension determination unit 1 determines the next dimension for extracting a feature vector (n=n+1), and supplies it to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 and the comparison method acquisition unit 6. Then, the processing returns to step D2.

It should be noted that although the extraction processing is performed in order from the dimension 1 to the dimension N in this embodiment, any order may be taken without being limited to this order. Further, it is also possible to perform the extraction processing for a plurality of dimensions in parallel, without limiting to such processing procedures. Further, step D2 and step D3 may be in reverse order, and step D3 may be performed immediately before step D5.

[Effect of Fourth Embodiment]

In addition to the advantageous effects of the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has an advantageous effect that the discrimination capability which is a degree of discriminating different images can be further improved.

This is because as the comparison and quantization methods are different among the dimensions (variable comparison and quantization methods are used), correlation between dimensions can be small.

Next, fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described.

Fifth Embodiment

In the fifth embodiment, the number of dimensions of a feature vector to be extracted is 300 dimensions (from 1^(st) dimension to 300^(th) dimension).

In the fifth embodiment, the extraction regions (first extraction regions and second extraction regions) for respective dimensions are formed of quadrangles in various shapes. FIG. 14 shows each-dimension extraction region information to be supplied to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 as an input in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 shows XY coordinate values of the four corners of the quadrangles of the extraction regions (first extraction regions and second extraction regions) for the respective dimensions, with respect to the image size of 320 pixel wide and 240 pixel long, which is a predetermined image size. For example, the extraction regions for a 1^(st) dimension is formed of a first extraction region consisting of a quadrangle with four corners having a coordinate value (262.000, 163.000), a coordinate value (178.068, 230.967), a coordinate value (184.594, 67.411), and a coordinate value (100.662, 135.378), and a first extraction region consisting of a quadrangle with four corners having a coordinate value (161.000, 133.000), a coordinate value (156.027, 132.477), a coordinate value (164.240, 102.170), and a coordinate value (159.268, 101.647).

The extraction regions (first extraction region and second extraction region) for each dimension is a set of pixels having coordinate values of integer values included in a region defined by these coordinate values of the four corners, with respect to the image normalized to an image size of 320 pixel wide and 240 pixel long. However, negative coordinate values included in the region defined by the four corners are not included in the extraction region.

FIG. 15 shows each-dimension region feature calculation method information supplied to the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 as an input, in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, an average the luminance of a group of pixels included in each of the extraction region (first extraction region and second extraction region) serves as a region feature of each of the extraction regions, for every dimension.

FIG. 17 shows each-dimension comparison and quantization method information supplied to the comparison method acquisition unit 6 as an input, in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the comparison and quantization method B or the comparison and quantization method G is used for each dimension, and the value of the parameter is also different for each dimension. For example, in the 1^(st) dimension, the comparison and quantization method G is used, and the threshold th is D(floor(300*5.0/100)). In the 2^(nd) dimension, the comparison and quantization method G is used, and the threshold th is D(floor(300*10.0/100)). Further, in the 9^(th) dimension, for example, the comparison and quantization method B is used, and the threshold th is 3.0.

Sixth Embodiment

In the sixth embodiment, the number of dimensions of a feature vector to be extracted is 300 dimensions (from 1^(st) dimension to 300^(th) dimension), as in the fifth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, as each-dimension extraction region information supplied to the extraction region acquisition unit 2 as an input, the information shown in FIG. 14 is used, as in the fifth embodiment. Further, in the sixth embodiment, as each-dimension comparison and quantization method information supplied to the comparison method acquisition unit 6 as an input, the information shown in FIG. 17 is used, as in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows each-dimension region feature calculation method information supplied to the region feature calculation method acquisition unit 5 as an input, in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, for each dimension, an average luminance of a group of pixels included in the extraction regions (first extraction region and second extraction region) or a percentile luminance value feature is used, and the feature is different for each dimension even if the same percentile luminance value feature is used. For example, in the 1^(st) dimension, an average luminance of the pixels included in the extraction regions is used. In the 4^(th) dimension, for example, a percentile luminance value feature is used, and the value is Y(floor(N*20.0/100)). Further, in the 8^(th) dimension, a percentile luminance value feature is used, and the value is Y(floor(N*80.0/100)).

Other Embodiments

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various additions and modifications may be made therein. Further, the image signature extraction device of the present invention is adapted such that the functions thereof can be realized by computers and programs, as well as hardware. Such a program is provided in the form of being written on a computer readable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, is read by a computer when the computer is started for example, and controls operation of the computer, to thereby allow the computer to function as the dimension determination unit, the extraction region acquisition unit, the region feature calculation unit, the comparison unit, the region feature calculation method acquisition unit, and the comparison method acquisition unit, of the above-described embodiments.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2009-12810, filed on Jan. 23, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 

1-42. (canceled)
 43. An image signature extraction device, comprising: a calculation unit that calculates region features from two sub-regions in an image, the two sub-regions being associated with each dimension composing an image signature, the image signature being information for identifying an image; a determination unit that determines a threshold based on distribution of difference values between the region features; and a quantization unit that quantizes the difference values by using the threshold.
 44. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the determination unit sorts absolute values of the difference values, and determines a value located at a predetermined proportion from top or bottom thereof as a threshold to be used for the quantizing.
 45. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the quantization unit quantizes the difference value as a value for each dimension of the image signature.
 46. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the quantization unit quantizes the difference values into ternary values.
 47. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 46, wherein the ternary values include a first quantization value, a second quantization value which is a value smaller than the first quantization value, and a third quantization value which is a value smaller than the second quantization value, and a difference between the first quantization value and the second quantization value and a difference between the second quantization value and the third quantization value are equal.
 48. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 46, wherein if a region feature calculated from a first sub-region of two associated sub-regions of a dimension is V1, a region feature calculated from a second sub-region is V2, and a threshold to be used for the quantizing is th, the quantization unit quantizes the difference values into a first quantization value if a value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is larger than th, quantizes the difference values into a second quantization value if an absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is smaller than or equal to th, and quantizes the difference values into a third quantization value if the value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is smaller than −th.
 49. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the calculation unit calculates an average luminance of each of the sub-regions in the image as a region feature of the sub-region.
 50. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein absolute positions of the two associated sub-regions of dimensions differ between the dimensions in which both combinations of shapes of the two associated sub-regions and relative positions between the two associated sub-regions are the same.
 51. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the quantization unit quantizes the region features as the image signature.
 52. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the determination unit determines a threshold to be used for the quantizing such that proportions of region features to be quantized into respective quantization values become almost equal.
 53. The image signature extraction device, according to claim 43, wherein the calculation unit calculates a representative value of pixel values of each of the sub-regions in the image as a region feature of the sub-region.
 54. A matching device that performs matching by using an image signature generated by the image signature extraction device according to claim
 43. 55. An identifying device that performs identification by using an image signature generated by the image signature extraction device according to claim
 43. 56. An image signature extraction method, comprising: calculating region features from two sub-regions in an image, the two sub-regions being associated with each dimension composing an image signature, the image signature being information for identifying an image; determining a threshold based on distribution of difference values between the region features; and quantizing the difference values by using the threshold.
 57. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the determining the threshold includes sorting absolute values of the difference values, and determining a value located at a predetermined proportion from top or bottom thereof as a threshold to be used for the quantizing.
 58. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the quantizing the difference values includes quantizing the difference value as a value for each dimension of the image signature.
 59. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the quantizing the difference values includes quantizing the difference values into ternary values.
 60. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 59, wherein the ternary values include a first quantization value, a second quantization value which is a value smaller than the first quantization value, and a third quantization value which is a value smaller than the second quantization value, and a difference between the first quantization value and the second quantization value and a difference between the second quantization value and the third quantization value are equal.
 61. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 59, wherein if a region feature calculated from a first sub-region of two associated sub-regions of a dimension is V1, a region feature calculated from a second sub-region is V2, and a threshold to be used for the quantizing is th, the quantizing the difference values includes quantizing the difference values into a first quantization value if a value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is larger than th, quantizing the difference values into a second quantization value if an absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is smaller than or equal to th, and quantizing the difference values into a third quantization value if the value obtained by subtracting V2 from V1 is smaller than −th.
 62. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the calculating the region features includes calculating an average luminance of each of the sub-regions in the image as a region feature of the sub-region.
 63. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein absolute positions of the two associated sub-regions of dimensions differ between the dimensions in which both combinations of shapes of the two associated sub-regions and relative positions between the two associated sub-regions are the same.
 64. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the quantizing the difference values includes quantizing the region features as the image signature.
 65. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the determining the threshold includes determining a threshold to be used for the quantizing such that proportions of region features to be quantized into respective quantization values become almost equal.
 66. The image signature extraction method, according to claim 56, wherein the calculating the region features includes calculating a representative value of pixel values of each of the sub-regions in the image as a region feature of the sub-region.
 67. A matching method for performing matching by using an image signature generated by the image signature extraction method according to claim
 56. 68. An identifying method for performing identification by using an image signature generated by the image signature extraction method according to claim
 56. 69. A computer-readable medium storing a program comprising instructions for causing a computer to function as: a calculation unit that calculates region features from two sub-regions in an image, the two sub-regions being associated with each dimension composing an image signature, the image signature being information for identifying an image; a determination unit that determines a threshold based on distribution of difference values between the region features; and a quantization unit that quantizes the difference values by using the threshold. 